Rashford's Brace Powers Aston Villa to FA Cup Semifinals
Aston Villa stormed into the FA Cup semifinals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Preston North End at Villa Park. Unai Emery's side produced a second-half masterclass to secure their place in the final four of England's prestigious cup competition.
Marcus Rashford proved his cup pedigree with a clinical double after halftime. The England international broke the deadlock with a composed finish before converting from the penalty spot just minutes later to complete his brace. Teenage sensation Jacob Ramsey capped the scoring in the 71st minute with a well-taken strike.
The victory sees Villa join Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in the semifinal draw. The final spot will be decided when Bournemouth face Manchester City in the remaining quarterfinal clash.
2024-25, England - FA Cup
Preston North End - Aston Villa 0:3 (0:0)
Goals: Rashford, 58 (0:1); Rashford, 61 (penalty) (0:2); Ramsey J., 71 (0:3)
Preston North End: Cornell; Meghoma (Lindsay, 77); Storey; Hughes A.; Gibson; Whiteman B.; Frøkjær-Jensen; Keane W. (Osmajić, 64); Riis E. (Evans C., 77); Brady; Thordarson S. (Mawene, 83)
Bench: Bauer P.
Yellow Cards: Keane W. 28; Whiteman B. 67
Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Konsa; Mings; Digne; Kamara B.; Cash (Robledo, 81); Tielemans (McGinn J., 74); Asensio (Onana A., 74); Ramsey J.; Rashford (Malen, 74); Rogers M. (Watkins, 81)
Bench: Olsen R.; Torres Pau; Maatsen I.; Bogarde L.
